It may be 2024 now, but there’s a prominent remembrance of the year 1963 this month. We’ve gathered powerful Martin Luther King Jr. quotes for Detroiters this MLK Day 2024 to honor the late & great American Baptist minister and civil rights leader. MLK Day is on Monday, January 15 this year.
There are numerous inspirational Martin Luther King Jr. quotes for all ages to feel inspired by. The equality march ( The Walk to Freedom) along Woodward Ave in Detroit, led by Martin Luther King Jr., Detroit civil rights leaders, and politicians set the stage for words to follow actions. Detroit history still has a strong bravado because of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his revolutionary speech for the first time.
Take advantage of the many historical museums in Detroit and metro Detroit that offer educational experiences to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day each year.
Detroitisit rounded up a special list of Martin Luther King Jr. quotes to remember the impact he had on Detroit as well as the greater African American community.
CELEBRATE MLK DAY, PHOTO @THEWRIGHTMUSEUM ON INSTAGRAM
A BRIEF HISTORY
At a time when Black citizens were being treated poorly despite being a large portion of the Detroit community, someone had to be the change maker. On June 23, 1963, Dr. King set out in hopes of leading an end to segregation and discrimination. In his Detroit speech, King speaks of his dream for his fellow black people in Detroit to “be able to buy a house or rent a house anywhere that their money will carry them, and they will be able to get a job.”
MLK had the Detroit spirit at his core. After all, he did give a shout-out to “good friend” Rev. C.L. Franklin, Aretha Franklin’s father in his unforgettable speech. Although King was killed in Memphis on April 4, 1968 at age 39, the legacy of his life remains motivation for all people!
Did you know that Motown Records founder Berry Gordy ended up releasing the Detroit version of King’s iconic speech in August 1963? Gordy was moved by the music of his words! The album was called “The Great March to Freedom. Motown later released two more albums of King’s speeches, “The Great March on Washington,” and “Free At Last.”
QUOTE 1
“Darkness cannot drive out of darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out of hate; only love can do that.”
― A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches
QUOTE 2
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
―Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on Aug. 28, 1963.
QUOTE 3
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
―
QUOTE 4
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”
―
QUOTE 5
“I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white girls and boys.”
―Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on Aug. 28, 1963.
QUOTE 6
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1965)
QUOTE 7
“The ability to lead a happy life is made, not found.”
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
QUOTE 8
“Be the peace you wish to see in the world!”
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
QUOTE 9
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
—Martin Luther King, Jr. in his Washington, D.C., address in February 1968.
QUOTE 10
“Never, ever be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake.”
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
QUOTE 11
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.”
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
QUOTE 12
“Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.”
― A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
QUOTE 13
“I have decided to stick to love…hate is too great a burden to bear.”
―Martin Luther King, Jr.
QUOTE 14
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
—Strength to Love, 1963
QUOTE 15
“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”
― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches
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